Nutrition and Foods Program

Background

Dr. Ayron Walker is an Assistant Professor in Nutrition and Health Care Management at Appalachian State University. She obtained her PhD in Animal and Food Science, completed an accredited dietetic internship and a Certificate in University Teaching from West Virginia University; MS from Virginia Tech; and BS from Appalachian State University. Her research interests include: dietetic programming and curriculum; knowledge translation; implementation of evidence-based interventions; weight stigma, disordered eating and eating disorders. Her current courses taught at Appalachian State include: Nutrition Counseling, Nutrition Across the Lifecycle, Senior Seminar in Dietetics, and Introduction to Nutrition and Health. Dr. Walker continues to serve as the chair of an affiliate committee within the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior. She serves as a copyeditor at JAFSCD, and provides leadership to many local food initiatives such as Community FEaST. 

Professional affiliations

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior
• American Society of Nutrition
• The Society for Implementation Science in Nutrition

Education

• ADA-approved didactic internship, West Virginia University, 2022
• PhD, Animal and Food Science, West Virginia University, 2022
• Certificate, University Teaching, West Virginia University, 2021
• MS, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 2019
• BS, Nutrition and Dietetics, Appalachian State University, 2017

Research interests

• knowledge translation and implementation science
• disordered eating and eating disorders
• food insecurity
• weight stigma
• curriculum development and evaluation
• systematic and scoping reviews

Selected publications:

• Jenna Warnock*, Katie Wolsiefer, Ayron E. Walker. Exploring Health Education Instructors' Perspectives and Approaches to Weight-Related Content. Accepted for print at JNEB. May 2026.

• Ayron E. Walker, Roy, M., Warnock, J.*, Prater, K.*, Farris, A., & Nunnery, D. (2026). Exploring Psychosocial Risk Factors for Disordered Eating Among Future Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Appalachian Student Healthcare Research Review, 1(1). Retrieved from https://mds.marshall.edu/ashrr/ vol1/iss1/6

• Brianna Mallozzi*, Manan Roy, Alisha Farris, Alisa Doung*, Ayron E. Walker. Understanding College Food Insecurity Through the Lens of Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Stigma. Accepted for print at JAFSCD. April 2026.

• Acevedo ADU, Agandaa SA, Allsopp MAKA, Fialkowski MK, MacMillian ALU, OooNorasak K, Santiago-Martinez B, Worthen DI, Ayron E. Walker. Narrating responses and changes to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within nutrition-focused organizations. JNEB. Dec 2025.

• Manan Roy, Danielle Nunnery, Krista Clarke, Ayron E. Walker, Katie Wolsiefer, Alisha Farris. Orthorexia Nervosa, Weight Bias, and Adverse Childhood Events among Nutrition Students. Health Behavior Research. Mar 2025.

• Alisa Duong*, Ayron E. Walker, Amanda Bossert*, Mathew Arnold*. A Mixed-Methods Investigation of College Food Pantry Stigma Among Users and Non-Users. JAFSCD. May 2024.

• Ayron E. Walker, Daniel Totzkay, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Elizabeth A. Claydon, Melissa D. Olfert. Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior to Inform Development of a Dissemination and Implementation Science Training for Nutrition Practitioners. PHN. Dec 2023.

• Ayron E. Walker, Elizabeth A. Claydon, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Daniel Totzkay, Melissa D. Olfert, . Strategy for Expanding Nutrition Professionals’ Competency: A Pilot Case Study in Dissemination and Implementation Science Training. Health Behavior Research. Nov 2023

• Ayron E. Walker, Kasey Yost*, Melissa D. Olfert. Implementation of Diabetes Education and Support in Appalachia. Evaluation Review. Aug 2023.

• Alden Elizabeth, Allsopp Marie AK, Archuleta Martha, Basinger Karen, Fialkowski Marie K, Martin Susan Stephenson, Parker Stephany, Ayron E. Walker. Implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: SNEB’s Commitment to Integrating DEI as Part of Each and Every Activity. JNEB. May 2023.